Dear Vivek - an open letter

Alan Cai

September 20, 2024

Dear Vivek,

I would like to begin by thanking you for taking the time to visit the city of Springfield, Ohio— known in today’s media as the location of a false rumor that migrants are eating cats and dogs. In today’s digitally interconnected world, it is exceedingly important for our leaders to visit and connect with the common people. Understanding the community and experiencing citizens’ lives from their own eyes helps dispel misstatements and inform better decisions. Shaking hands and listening trumps than firing Tweets behind a closed door any day of the week. Your visit sets a great example for our nation’s other leaders to follow.

I am writing to address your justifications for the comments Trump made during his presidential debate last week. During your visit to Springfield, you brushed off the former president’s comments as “mistakes” which could be understood under the pretext of the high-pressure and heated moments of the presidential debate. You also accused the mainstream media of overemphasizing the “fringe” aspects of the border subject. Insofar as the media is concerned, your consternation is not unwarranted; news coverage of debates tends to focus on a handful of sound bites and small moments can be blown out of proportion due to widespread public attention. Nevertheless, the primary issue of Trump’s border rhetoric remains. Although most parties would likely agree that “They’re eating the dogs!” was an inappropriate remark, it should be comprehended more as a Freudian slip than a genuine mistake. Trump does not shy away from employing dehumanizing connotations to label immigrants and foreign-born individuals. Trump uses derogatory language to unite his base around a perceived common enemy. However, promoting and exaggerating untrue facts not only brews undue hatred against certain communities but also polarizes American public opinion and leads to real-life consequences.

Trump made it clear in the 2016 Republican debate cycle that he has no time for “total political correctness.” While his bold diction may help him connect with his base, it is not suitable for an American leader looking to unite the country. The American public does not expect grandiloquence from their elected leaders. Nonetheless, a basic standard of decency and the avoidance of ad hominem attacks against non-political figures should be adhered to whenever possible. The issue of border security is pertinent: our borders help define our national identity and how we see ourselves as a country. Refraining from making flawed assertions against individuals, many of whom are escaping political persecution themselves, should be enforced.

I would like to close by providing some thoughts on your political future. Although I do not agree with many of your policy positions and do believe it is prudent not to advise unless solicited, your budding career is far too auspicious to ignore. Although you will undoubtedly remain relevant in the coming years and may even potentially win statewide or congressional offices, I do not believe you could reasonably win the presidency with your current strategy. Firstly, you rely too heavily on being Trump’s successor. After Trump tapped your law school friend, JD Vance, to the ticket, your ability to pursue that route was pretty much stomped. No one feverishly supports a tribute band. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, you must— for lack of a better term— “dumb down” your public image. While it is sometimes entertaining to watch the nerds hash it out on national television, it is not practical for winning a primary or general election. Americans are not looking for the smartest guy on the stage. More often than not, candidates who are less verbally eloquent can appear more trustworthy and win more support. Time and time again, it’s the stuttering George Bushs or stumbling Joe Bidens of the world who win rather than the well-spoken but forgettable Pete Buttigiegs or Marco Rubios. If you can fix these two errors, I do believe our nation would be more open to coalescing around you someday. Hope to see you soon on the debate stage.

Alan Cai